By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq
Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, has taken a swipe at the recent increase in cocoa producer prices, suggesting that Ghanaian cocoa farmers have been deceived.
In a post on his Facebook page, Mr. Nkansah remarked, “Cocoa farmers are also enjoying their reset. Yaanom have hoodwinked them.”
His comments come shortly after the government announced a new cocoa producer price of GH₵3,228 per bag for the 2025/2026 season a modest increase from the previous GH₵3,100.
The statement has stirred political debate, especially because the current government, then in opposition under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), had previously called on former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration to increase the cocoa price to GH₵6,000 per bag. At the time, the NDC argued that GH₵3,000 was woefully inadequate and unfair to farmers given global cocoa market trends.
Now in power, the NDC administration’s GH₵128 increment has drawn criticism from political opponents and stakeholders who see it as a betrayal of earlier promises.
Although the government has defended the new rate as reflective of prevailing economic conditions and a balanced approach, Mr Ofosu Nkansah believe the increase falls short of expectations, especially in light of rising production costs, inflation, and the global surge in cocoa prices.
Cocoa remains one of Ghana’s top foreign exchange earners and a key livelihood for many rural communities. Producer price adjustments are therefore a major issue of national interest and political scrutiny.
